Question

Is the following Hadith authentic?

“The most beloved names to Allah are the names of the Ambiya” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah)

Answer

Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration as the statement of the famous Tabi’i Sa’id Ibn Al Musayyab (rahimahullah) and not as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has declared the chain to Sa’id ibn Al Musayyab (rahimahullah) authentic. The narration should be quoted as such.

(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 26430. Fathul Bari, under Hadith: 6194)

There are authentic narrations wherein Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Keep the names of the Ambiya”. In fact Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) named his own son after Nabi Ibrahim (‘alayhis salam).

(Refer: Sahih Bukhari and Fathul Bari, Hadith: 6194)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar